Chet Lemon

QUOTE(SadChiSoxFanOptimist @ Aug 26, 2006 -> 10:31 AM) Let's option him back to Illinois State! that is quite possibly the best solution ever.

I was a Neal Cotts fan as he came up through our farm system and I thought he would be great out of the bullpen even before the '05 season, but he is worthless know. I was in KC about a month ago watching him pitch after a rain delay, and it was a joke. Not to mention ever since then. Is it possible to option him to AAA until he shows he can get guys out? I don't know who to replace him with, but this guy pushes me to the ledge as much as Marte did.

I will forever abhor Baseball Prospectus for writing that the 2005 Sox would finish in "the basement" of the division w/ KC.

What would it take for the Sox to trade for Carl Crawford? I am thinking they should try to pull this in the offseason as he won't be available now: Vazquez-Starting pitching is a huge need for T.B. Vazquez's best years were w/ small market Montreal, so he could be more successful in Tampa than NY and Chicago. Further, NY and AZ are still paying part of his contract, so it wouldn't be a substantial salary increase. Podsednik-OK, this would break hearts, but we need the upgrade. With the forgone conclusion that Lugo will be gone plus the trading of Gathright, TB will benefit from Pods' ability to steal bases. In addition, he can hit leadoff for them. Also, not a big salary for Tampa to take on. Like Vazquez, he is another veteran teams would like to have. Rogowski-With a logjam at 1b, it only makes sense to move the best 1b prospect in the Sox system. He is going to be 26 next season, leads the Charlotte Knights in RBI's, can play 3b, and is ready to start for a big league team. Unless they have someone better, and last time I checked they were running Travis Lee (who is awful) out as their first baseman, he would be an immediate part of their lineup. If the Sox gave up the aforementioned players, would it be enough to get Crawford? Could they also get another minor-leaguer in the deal as well? This would be a tremendous upgrade for the Sox. It also allows the team to set up their rotation w/ Mac in it. Crawford is very young, and I believe his best years are in front of him w/ a new team.